Spain to Kenya

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
djson280
Posts: 7
Joined: 10 Dec 2021, 9:59am

Spain to Kenya

Post by djson280 »

Hello all

I am thinking of going overland from Spain to Kenya by electric trike.

To raise money for a street children project there.

Looking at the map I really can't see how, reasonably safely.

Your thoughts, knowledge and advice.

Please.

Thanks
st599_uk
Posts: 1157
Joined: 4 Nov 2018, 8:59pm

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by st599_uk »

You mean by not taking a ferry across the Mediterranean?

So along the Southern Europe coast to the Bosphorus, cross in to Asia then cycle to the Egyptian border and in to Africa?

You'd need to cross Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Gaza strip, or Iraq, Jordan and Israel or Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. Then if you head south from Egypt, there's an civil war in Sudan to avoid.
A novice learning...
“the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
simonhill
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 11:28am
Location: Essex

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by simonhill »

Desperately trying to be positive here, but struggling.

I presume you are aware of the Govt FCO travel site. Anywhere too iffy and your travel insurance is void.

Taking a ferry to Morocco from southern Spain is easy.

Planning a route through northern Africa and the Sahel not so easy. Egypt was a traditional route and into Sudan, but apart from risks in Egypt, there's now a full blown civil war in Sudan.

How about flying to south Africa and heading north. You could ride through more stable countries.

Visas. Not always so easy and can be expensive.

Anything a bit unusual will attract attention. I think an electric trike qualifies as unusual. Also how robust and need to charge are other problems. I'd rather take a good quality touring bike. I've never had a problem with a basic bike at a border. Something unusual and obviously expensive could be a hassle.

Have you thought of sitting in a bath of baked beans (for charity).
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Navrig
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Joined: 9 Apr 2018, 12:46pm

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by Navrig »

I was going to post highlighting the risks associated with such a route until I re-read the OP. I thought an ebike was adventurous in Africa then I read "trike".

It must be a hoax post designed to get us excited about convincing the OP not to do it.

My advice is to go for it. What could possibly go wrong :twisted:
simonhill
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Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 11:28am
Location: Essex

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by simonhill »

This may give some inspiration and comfort, although she went down the West coast.

https://www.sidetracked.com/edition-03/africa.php
mattheus
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Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by mattheus »

Navrig wrote: 29 Oct 2024, 1:33pm It must be a hoax post designed to get us excited about convincing the OP not to do it.
Really? Are you sure you read the question?

The OP sounds quite cautions and pessimistic to me:
Looking at the map I really can't see how, reasonably safely.

Your thoughts, knowledge and advice. Please.
simonhill
Posts: 5468
Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 11:28am
Location: Essex

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by simonhill »

It's worth reading his previous posts. Such an undertaking is not for the fainthearted and mechanical skills help.
borisface
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Joined: 19 Feb 2010, 3:48pm

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by borisface »

Even if you did get to Kenya overland - how would you get the e-trike back home?
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Navrig
Posts: 279
Joined: 9 Apr 2018, 12:46pm

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by Navrig »

mattheus wrote: 29 Oct 2024, 1:40pm
Navrig wrote: 29 Oct 2024, 1:33pm It must be a hoax post designed to get us excited about convincing the OP not to do it.
Really? Are you sure you read the question?

The OP sounds quite cautions and pessimistic to me:
Looking at the map I really can't see how, reasonably safely.

Your thoughts, knowledge and advice. Please.
I certainly read the question correctly. I also have seen numerous similar posts, on other forums and Facebook, which are purposefully designed to start a long thread involving forum members but the OP rarely, if ever, comes back.

In this case the OP has asked a question which if he simply looked at Google maps and read the news would be easily answered. He has 4 posts. He has started 4 threads and despite people responding has never returned to any of the threads he started.

I wouldn't give him the "oxygen" needed to keep this thread going.
mattheus
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Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by mattheus »

Navrig wrote: 29 Oct 2024, 5:10pm I certainly read the question correctly. I also have seen numerous similar posts, on other forums and Facebook, which are purposefully designed to start a long thread involving forum members but the OP rarely, if ever, comes back.
OK, gotcha. It is a growing problem!
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al_yrpal
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Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by al_yrpal »

Seriously, anyone thinking of cycling in Africa should read Riaan Manser's account of his epic ride cycling right around Africa on his bicycle and the many difficulties and dangers he encountered.

Al
Reuse, recycle, thus do your bit to save the planet.... Get stuff at auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Car Boots. Choose an Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can......
nirakaro
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Joined: 22 Dec 2007, 2:01am

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by nirakaro »

mattheus wrote: 30 Oct 2024, 9:09am
Navrig wrote: 29 Oct 2024, 5:10pm I certainly read the question correctly. I also have seen numerous similar posts, on other forums and Facebook, which are purposefully designed to start a long thread involving forum members but the OP rarely, if ever, comes back.
OK, gotcha. It is a growing problem!
Is it really a problem? We're not obliged to answer the question, or follow the thread. And if we do, it's because it provides a wee bit of entertainment.
mattheus
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Location: Western Europe

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by mattheus »

nirakaro wrote: 30 Oct 2024, 2:27pm
mattheus wrote: 30 Oct 2024, 9:09am
Navrig wrote: 29 Oct 2024, 5:10pm I certainly read the question correctly. I also have seen numerous similar posts, on other forums and Facebook, which are purposefully designed to start a long thread involving forum members but the OP rarely, if ever, comes back.
OK, gotcha. It is a growing problem!
Is it really a problem? We're not obliged to answer the question, or follow the thread. And if we do, it's because it provides a wee bit of entertainment.
Yes.
simonhill
Posts: 5468
Joined: 13 Jan 2007, 11:28am
Location: Essex

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by simonhill »

It depends on how much effort you put into your replies.

It can be a bit of a drag if you put in the effort, maybe doing a bit of extra research, only to realise it's completely wasted.

My first reply to this was 27 lines. Considering a number of aspects of overland travel. I have just written a similar reply to crossing India based on my experience, plus rechecking facts.

Maybe I should stick to one liners.
djson280
Posts: 7
Joined: 10 Dec 2021, 9:59am

Re: Spain to Kenya

Post by djson280 »

Hi people, I'm back.

For the people thinking I'm just fooling around. You only fool yourself!

With regards to my previous posts, completely different topic.

Finally I bought a Winther Cargoo with Bafang M410 mid drive motor.

So it has the quality and strength to cover 9000km without problems.

In theory!

No ferries from Europe to Egypt.

The possible route would be through Niger, Chad, CAR, South Sudan, Kenya.

Niger is a no go, the French army was driven out a while back.

So maybe, go around the whole of Europe, to raise awareness and hopefully some funds?

Would leave the Trike there, when I returned, but I'm thinking of volunteering there for a couple of years.

So if I went to Turkey let's say, mostly safe, then send the trike by ferry to Kenya?

Yes, I know I'm completely mad!!!! :lol:

Ps.

Charging the trike should not be much of an issue, I'll take solar panels, battery, inverter with me. So in Africa I should be able to do that.
Last edited by djson280 on 31 Oct 2024, 8:56am, edited 2 times in total.
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